ABC Radio Drama has recently produced a full length version of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Producer/Director Anne Wynter decided to commission the play after considering the 2012 Year 12 syllabus.  This is the first time this production has been recorded in its entirety in Australia.

Contrary to Act 1, Scene 2, where the characters are urged to ‘give it an understanding, but no tongue,’ ABC Radio has given tongue to this classic, complete with sword play and costumes.

The radio play was recorded over eight days at the ABC Radio studios in Ultimo, Sydney and features some of the country’s leading actors, such as William Zappa, Linda Cropper, Peter Kowitz, Tim Walter and Susan Prior.

One of the challenges of producing a full length classic play for radio is time. Wynter has told radioinfo:

“We do not have the luxury of rehearsal time that theatre companies enjoy, so we are constantly investigating ways of making such productions as seamless as possible, as well giving the actors resources such as props and costumes, which add another layer to their performances making the actor feel more in character thus producing a better performance.”

What do you read, my lord?
Words, words, words.

(ACT II Scene 2)

The final production of all those words is scheduled for broadcast in March 2012 on Radio National’s drama spot Airplay.  It will be part of an ongoing syllabus based season throughout the year. 

The focus will be for a general audience as well as reaching out to younger people, particularly those who are isolated by geography from the cultural offerings of a major city.  Other syllabus material will be broadcast in Poetica  andThe Book Reading.

Hamlet’s Production Team (Left to Right):

Russel Stapleton  (Sound Engineer), Anne Wynter  (Producer/Director), Kathryn Roberts  (Dramaturg), Zoe Backes (Production Assistant)

The play’s the thing,

Wherein THEY’ll catch the conscience of the king.